MCFR Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

at  TerraPower

TITLE: MCFR Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
LOCATION: Bellevue, WA
TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.
TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.
TerraPower’s Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) program is commercializing the technology to operate a fast spectrum, chloride salt cooled molten salt reactor. The Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) is slated to be the first liquid-fueled, fast spectrum reactor built and operated, and will be constructed at Idaho National Laboratory.
MCFR Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
TerraPower is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join the MCRE team as a system lead. Responsibility will begin with supporting the integration of the Reactor Enclosure System within the Mockup. The Reactor Enclosure System is an ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III Division 5 vessel and piping system. The Mockup is a full scale, non-nuclear, version of MCRE to be built and operated at TerraPower’s Everett, WA laboratory. The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will lead the MCRE Reactor Enclosure System design through installation at Idaho National Laboratory and go on to support future designs within MCFR.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• At least a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• Level 11 requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree
• Level 12 requires a minimum of 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree
• Experience with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel and B31 codes
• Experience working under a Quality Program (for example, NQA-1 or ISO 9001)
• Demonstrated ability to deliver qualified hardware and supporting documentation
• Proficiency with finite element analysis software, ANSYS preferred
• Skilled in detail-oriented review of drawings, documents, and calculations to ensure consistency, precision, and technical rigor
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Creative thinking with strong analytical/problem solving skills
• Ability to work multiple tasks concurrently with minimal direction
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly, and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.
• Actual position starting level and title will be determined based on assessment of qualifications
• Bonus Qualifications
• CAD proficiency in SolidWorks
• Experience with commercial piping and pressure vessel software
• ASME BPVC III.5 high-temperature design and analysis
• Understanding of molten salt reactor-, fast reactor-, and/or other advanced reactors
• Understanding of fabrication operations including machining, welding, heat treatment, and inspections

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reactor Enclosure System Lead Engineer
• Responsible for the delivery and integration of the Mockup and MCRE Reactor Enclosure System including acting as technical representative for supplier contracts, managing schedule and budget, and providing technical support for installation
• Write ASME design specifications and mechanical load description documents
• Originate and oversee mechanical design calculations and reports under a quality program
• Conduct review meetings with key stakeholders and help to manage interfaces with other systems
• Perform mechanical design activities across the Plant including hand calculations, finite element analysis, and technical reviews
• Support continuous learning and application of nuclear industry best practices to maintain the highest quality of engineering design and proactively identify process change/enhancement opportunities

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position. These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation. Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations. An applicant’s ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting and standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged.
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work and ability to perform role in personal protective equipment.
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day